Cities: Skylines 2 is coming in 2023 on PC and consoles

Paradox promises “most realistic city builder ever”

Paradox Interactive has announced Cities: Skylines 2, the sequel to Colossal Order’s hugely successful city builder from 2015. Launching for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S sometime in 2023, Cities: Skylines 2 is promised to be the “most realistic city builder ever” by Paradox.

“Create and manage your own city without restrictions. Offering a deep simulation and a living economy, Cities: Skylines 2 will challenge your decision-making skills and allow you to build the cities of your dreams,” the official description reads.

The announcement trailer also features the Xbox Game Pass logo, so Cities: Skylines 2 might be another launch day title for Microsoft’s subscription service.

The official description continues: “Here your city will evolve and react to your decisions. A dynamic and ever-changing world that is both challenging and rewarding. Use your creativity and strategic planning skills to grow your city into a thriving metropolis that will attract businesses, residents, and tourists alike. From residential neighborhoods to bustling downtowns, the possibilities are endless. Navigate through the complexities of running a city and keep up with the needs and demands of your citizens. See your city grow and transform over time. With stunning graphics that are as beautiful as they are detailed, Cities: Skylines 2 will bring your city to life.”

Cities: Skylines came out at the perfect time in 2015 to capitalize on the disappointing launch of EA’s SimCity two years prior, which had left city builder fans craving for a better experience. It sold over 12 million copies by June 2022, was expanded with 13 official DLCs, and also featured mod support, which greatly enhanced the longevity of the title and people’s enjoyment with it.

That breadth of content also means that Cities: Skylines 2 likely won’t release with as much meat on its bones as the final state of its predecessor – a conundrum that players of strategy games like Civilization and Crusader Kings know all too well.